Attachable or detachable top for furniture



Feb. 20, 1951 s. A. FLOWERS ATTACK-{ABLE OR DETACHABLE TOP FOR FURNITURE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Jan. 10, 1948 INVENTOR. JTA NLEY 4.1 20

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Feb. 20, 1951 s. A. FLOWERS 2,542,649

ATTACHABLE OR DETACHABLE TOP FOR FURNITURE Filed Jan. 10, 1948 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 JNVENTOR. JrmvLf Y 4. FZozzes.

Patented Feb. 20, 1951 UNITED STATES orjFIicE FURNITURE I Stanley A. Flowers, Oakmont, Pa., assignor to Walters Manufacturing Compiling flakniont,

Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania.-

Application January 10, 1948,v SeriaINo..1,5"80

then purchased-by the-cabinet builder forinstallation on his cabinets.

The cabinets themselves may be of light economical material, as wood or sheet metal, usually enameled, each preferably having a top closure, in the form of a covering top of wood or of comparatively light sheet metal material, provided with surfacing porcelain, or otherwise as preferred.

Ordinarily, a porcelain faced top is laid upon special board planking, interfitting with the sides, and anchored in position by wood screws or other means connecting the parts together. My construction eliminates all such means.

For illustration, I show a cabinet made of comparatively light sheet metal, providing sides and ends, and a covering fiat top, with the usual door and interior fittings, not herein involved.

The top closure comprises, with the main cabinet, a suitable wooden or light sheet metal top framing, together with a plurality of sets of holding clips and flanges. Such sets of clips may be applied on the cabinet upper edges, or on the top itself as preferred, as shall be more fully hereinafter described.

While the invention is not limited to any particular construction or design, one preferred form is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figs. 1, 2 and 3 are partial perspective views illustrating progressive stages of placement of the top in position on the cabinet.

Fig. 4 is a front View in elevation, of the upper portion of the cabinet, without the top.

Fig. 5 is a plan view of the same.

Fig. 6 is a front elevatio view of the cabinet with the top in position.

Fig. '7 is a plan view of Fig. 6, with the top in position, the top being broken away to show one of the holding clips on the cabinet, as when interlocked underneath the flange.

Fig. 8 is a sectional view of a modification of the invention. 7

Fig. 9 is a composite perspective view of the modification of Fig. 8 of the cooperating clip members of the cabinet and top respectively, in spaced apart operative relationship.

Fig. 10 is a further part sectior'i'al view-ofthe modification" of Fig.- 8 showing the porcelain enamel'ed top, or any top having an under flange in holding connection with the cabinet, by spot welded clips.

The cabinet walls 2" are shown as of sheet metal, terminating at the top in relatively narrow inwardly extending" flanges 3.

The removable top comprises a'jwcod'en or sheet metal closure 12, of suitable thickness and rigidity for providing a durable and ornamental cover for the cabinet itself, and'preferably provided withaporcelain appliedfacing.

At equally located positions on the bottom surface are secured the stationary holding catches or fasteners, in the form of clips 5. These are made of thin sheet metal, each having a spaced flange 6 and secured to the botton surface of the top of the cabinet.

Each clip 5 is provided, as stated, with an upwardly off-set blade or tongue 6 spaced beyond the lower surface of the top, providing the space 8 for reception of the inner flange 9.

A series of clips 5, as say four, are arranged on the lower surface of the top of the cabinet,

and are engageable by the flange 9 of the cabinet. Each of the clip series is spaced equi-distantly around an imaginary true center :r, of each such top member.

The locking members or clips 5 are secured on the top 4 in proper positions for clamping engagement, as in Figs. 5 and '7, for connection by continuous flange 9 of the cabinet, upon rotation of the top.

Thus, as in Figs. 1-3, the top is firmly pressed downwardly, and rotated to final'holding position, or may be released by reverse rotation.

I show in Figures 8, 9 and 10 a modified construction in which the covering top may be of sheet metal.

In such construction the clips 5 may be re versed in position and secured to the flange 3 of the cabinet by Welding or the like.

Initial clearance for the clips 5 is brought about by locating the top diagonally cornerwise, as in Fig. 2.

In such arrangement, the flanges 9 make holding connection with the clips by rotation of the entire cover, in the same manner as illustrated in Figs. 1-3 inclusive. In placement of the cover, as in Figs. 1 and 2, there is ample clearance cornerwise, followed by rotation of. the cover, for the connecting elements, to final connected position as in Fi 3.

It will be understood that the clip members are sufficiently resilient to easily become engaged and disengaged by the partial rotation of the cover, the weight of which, or manual pressure, is of assistance in both placement and removal.

When in location, the top cover member is of permanent appearance, and its separability and ease of application are of great advantage in manufacture of the two members separately, with a special economy in shippin and final assembly for merchandising.

While a porcelain finishing top surface is an attribute of value and attractiveness, any other surfacing may be utilized, for instance linoleum or other durable substitute.

The construction and use of the improved construction will be readily understood and appreciated by all those familiar with the art, providing as it does for simplicity and economy in manufacture of similar items, and in reducing cost of final assembly.

What I claim is: I

A' combination sheet metal cabinet and top closure therefor, comprising vertical walls defining a rectangular cabinet, a flange extending horizontally inwardly from the top edge of said cabinet walls and defining a rectangular opening within the outline of said vertical walls, said top closure being of the size and shape of the rectangle defined by said cabinet walls and havin a top horizontal surface, a vertical edge portion extending downwardly from said surface and a horizontal lower surface in juxtaposition to said flange, bent metal clips fastened to said vertical axis.

STANLEY A. FLOWERS.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 197,147 Kramer Nov. 13, 1877 207,579 De Tray et al Jan. 16, 1883 277,196 Barnett May 8, 1883 565,435 Crater Aug. 11, 1896 920,095 Stephens Apr. 27, 1909 1,482,742 Gilchrist Feb. 5, 1924 1,751,586 Kimp Mar. 25, 1930 1,940,117 Carpos Dec. 19, 1933 1,997,660 Smith Apr. 16, 1935 2,208,740 Shannon July 23, 1940 

